West Ham United appear set to sanction the sale of midfielder Lucas Paquetá as his long-running transfer saga edges toward resolution.
The Brazilian international, 28, has made no secret of his desire to return to his boyhood club Flamengo in this January transfer window, and negotiations have advanced significantly in recent days. Flamengo have put forward an offer reported to be in the region of €41.25 million (about £35.8 million) — a figure that would be a record transfer for the Rio giants — and both clubs are now finalising terms, particularly around how payments will be structured.
West Ham had initially pushed for a deal structured so that Paquetá would return to them on loan for the rest of the season after the transfer, reflecting their precarious position in the Premier League relegation battle. However, reports suggest that the club has now dropped that demand, making a permanent move this month more likely.
Paquetá has missed several recent West Ham matches, with the club listing a back injury, but his absence comes amid growing certainty that his departure is imminent. Sources now say that Flamengo and West Ham are close to an agreement that could be completed this week, potentially bringing Paquetá’s three-and-a-half-year stint at the London Stadium to an end.
The Brazil international, who joined West Ham in the summer of 2022, has been an influential player in previous seasons but has not featured since early January. If the move goes through, it would allow West Ham to reinvest funds into strengthening their squad as they fight for Premier League survival.
